Amber Glenn Owns Milano Cortina 2026 With A Fearless Gala Finale
- ‘That’s Life’: Inside the “fierce and soulful” exhibition routine set to Lady Gaga’s rendition of the Frank Sinatra classic—a performance that became the ultimate middle finger to a “harrowing” individual week.
- The Comeback Kid: How Amber Glenn vaulted from 13th to 5th place in the individual event, delivering a “season-best” free skate that nearly snatched a second medal for the Americans.
- Team Gold Glory: A look back at her “powerhouse” performance in the team event that secured her first Olympic gold medal alongside the “Blade Angels.”
- The Dress That Stole the Show: Why her “edgy” black gala outfit and bold spins have social media calling her the “Queen of Atmosphere” in Milan.
- Prague Bound: Why the three-time U.S. champion isn’t hanging up her skates yet, with her sights set on the World Championships next month.
MILAN, ITALY — If there was one athlete who embodied the “incandescent” spirit of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, it was Amber Glenn. After a week that saw her go from “tears of heartbreak” in the short program to “unbridled joy” in the free skate, Glenn took to the ice one last time on Saturday for the Exhibition Gala to show the world exactly who she is: a fighter.
Trading her competitive burgundy for a “head-turning” black dress, Glenn delivered a routine that was pure Lady Gaga energy. Skating to Gaga’s gritty, rebellious version of “That’s Life,” she reminded the 12,000-strong crowd that even when you’re “shot out of the sky,” you get back up and finish the show.
FROM 13TH TO THE TOP FIVE: THE REDEMPTIVE ARC
Glenn’s individual Olympic journey was a “visceral” rollercoaster. After a costly error on a triple loop in the short program left her in 13th place, many counted her out. But on Thursday night, she returned with “ice in her veins,” landing a massive triple Axel and a season-best score of 214.91.
“I’m ecstatic,” she said, finally able to smile as she cheered on teammate Alysa Liu for the gold. “I did my job. I enjoyed skating today, and that’s what matters.”
SIDEBAR: AMBER GLENN’S MILANO CORTINA MOMENTS
| The Event | The Highlight | The Final Rank | The ‘Daily Mail’ Verdict |
| Team Event | Powerhouse Free Skate | GOLD MEDAL! | American Muscle! |
| Individual FS | Redemptive Triple Axel | 5th Overall | The Ultimate Fighter! |
| Gala | Lady Gaga’s “That’s Life” | Showstopper | A True Rock Star! |
| Next Stop | Prague (Worlds) | March 2026 | The Journey Continues! |
THE ‘BLADE ANGELS’ LEGACY
While she narrowly missed an individual podium, Glenn leaves Milan as an Olympic Champion in the team event. Alongside Liu and Isabeau Levito, the “Blade Angels” have redefined the image of American skating—mixing technical prowess with a “rebellious” style that includes Glenn’s signature piercings and dyed hair.
As she took her final bow at the gala, joined by friends like Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov for a “spontaneous” group moment, it was clear that Amber Glenn didn’t just win a medal in Milan—she won the respect of a generation.
Was Amber’s ‘Lady Gaga’ routine the best exhibition of the night, or did the ‘Blade Angels’ final group dance steal the show?
